Callum Wilson is desperate to be one of the few people to benefit from Coventry City’s ongoing transfer embargo.

The striker has been pushed to the fore amid the off-field crisis that has hampered manager Steven Pressley’s recruitment plans, and he fully intends to make the most of his big chance to shine.

“There’s a smaller squad so there’s a great opportunity this season to get more experience and more goals, and that comes from impressing the manager on the training pitch,” said the 21-year-old, who had arguably his best game of pre-season against Cheltenham last week.

A development squad player last term, Wilson’s progress in recent seasons has been blighted by a string of injuries, but after impressing the manager at the tail end of last season he hasn’t looked back.

“It was fantastic to start playing games because as a young lad that’s all you want to do,” he said.

“My aim for last season was to start three games and I achieved that, and to get on the scoresheet was great.

“I was looking the other day and it was 2009 when I made my first appearance against Hartlepool in the cup so to be back in and around it now in the 2013/14 season is going to be good and hopefully I can get a few more games and starts under my belt.

“I want to be starting between ten and 20 games this season, at least, and I have got a figure of goals I want to score as well and let people know if I have achieved it towards the end of the season.

“I haven’t set myself a stupid amount but it’s a reasonable amount, I think, that a player of my ability should be doing and hopefully I can achieve that. I haven’t told anyone at the club; I’ll just keep it to myself.

“I believe in my ability and I think I can achieve it and if I am playing games and staying fit then I know it’s a target I can reach.”

He added: “My greatest strengths are probably one v one against defenders because I would back myself every time to beat them. I am quick and strong and I think I am a good finisher, so when I am confident and fit there’s no stopping me really.

“If you are confident in front of goal then it doesn’t matter what stage you are at in your development, you will always score goals.

“The manager showed faith in me last season and we had a chat about his expectations for me this season, and hopefully I can achieve more than what he expects of me.

“I am hopefully a better player than three starts and one goal. My fitness is very good and I did loads of running on the streets and at parks and things over the summer.

"I went to the gym and I did extra to what I was asked to do, and went swimming on days I wasn’t due to do anything, just to keep active.

“I’ve been scoring quite a few in training and hopefully I’ll take that into the season and show the manager and the fans what I can do.”

As for his injury problems, he said: “I don’t even think about it. I don’t go anywhere near the physio’s room. It’s all behind me now and I just want to look forward.”